Effects on the accelerating electron bunches due to the presence of sulfur hexafluoride or air in the linac waveguide.

Sulfur hexafluoride gas (SF6) is used as a dielectric insulator in the acceleration process of certain medical linear accelerator waveguides. Nevertheless, some innovative development and investigation cases require intervention in the linear accelerator or, specifically, on the waveguide, which could affect the sealing of the device. In this regard, vacuum sealing systems can be compromised, affecting the properties of the radiation beams produced. The presence of sulfur hexafluoride or air inside the VARIAN 6/100 waveguide was investigated under different pressure conditions and non-uniform electric fields, adapting Monte Carlo simulation techniques for modeling radiation transport coupled with electric fields. Obtained results indicated the suitability of the proposed approach, while comparisons with theoretical approaches and experimental evidence supported the model's consistency.

Deterioro cognitivo tardío en pacientes con estenosis aórtica tratados con sustitución valvular quirúrgica y con implantación transcatéter de válvula aórtica: estudio comparativo / Delayed cognitive impairment in patients with aortic stenosis treated with surgical valve replacement and transcatheter aortic valve implantation: a comparative study

Introducción El deterioro cognitivo secundario a eventos cerebrovasculares es una complicación frecuente en las intervenciones de reemplazo de válvula aórtica. Nuestro objetivo es el estudio del perfil de deterioro de los pacientes sometidos a reemplazo valvular quirúrgico o implantación de prótesis transcatéter (TAVI) y si éste resulta diferente según la intervención a la que son sometidos y los factores de riesgo basales. Pacientes y métodos Estudio observacional prospectivo, con dos grupos no equivalentes de pacientes (grupo TAVI y grupo quirúrgico). Se realizaron comparaciones intergrupo en varios dominios cognitivos, con una evaluación basal y mediciones de seguimiento seis y 12 meses después la intervención. Resultados El grupo TAVI presentó resultados inferiores al grupo quirúrgico en funciones ejecutivas y visuoespaciales, puntuaciones parcialmente determinadas por la edad (p < 0,01) y el nivel intelectual previo (Pearson cociente intelectual previo-medias escalares en los test: 0,665; p < 0,001). La media de puntuaciones en los tres momentos de medición indica una disminución del rendimiento en funciones ejecutivas a los seis meses, que se recupera a los 12 meses. En memoria se registraron incrementos sostenidos en ambos momentos, en tanto que la función visuoespacial y la denominación no mostraron recuperación posterior de los niveles basales. Estas tendencias son similares en los dos grupos. Conclusión Los resultados obtenidos no confirman la instauración de un proceso específico de deterioro neurocognitivo postintervención en la estenosis aórtica complicada. El perfil de deterioro no presenta diferencias significativas entre los grupos, pero es más evidente en los pacientes con TAVI, debido a la influencia de las variables de selección de la muestra. (AU)

INTRODUCTION Cognitive impairment secondary to cerebrovascular events is a common complication of aortic valve replacement interventions. Our aim is to study the deterioration profile of patients who have undergone surgical valve replacement or transcatheter valve implantation (TAVI) and whether it differs according to the intervention they underwent and their baseline risk factors. PATIENTS AND METHODS We conducted a prospective observational study with two non-equivalent groups of patients (TAVI group and surgical group) Intergroup comparisons were carried out in several cognitive domains, with a baseline assessment and follow-up measurements six and 12 months after the intervention. RESULTS The TAVI group performed less well than the surgical group in executive and visuospatial functions, with scores partially determined by age (p < 0.01) and prior intellectual level (Pearson prior intelligence quotient-scalar test means: 0.665; p < 0.001). Mean scores at the three measurement points indicate a decline in executive function performance at six months, which is restored at 12 months. Sustained increases in memory were recorded at both time points, while visuospatial function and naming showed no subsequent recovery of the baseline levels. These trends are similar in both groups. CONCLUSION. The results obtained do not confirm the appearance of a specific process of post-intervention neurocognitive impairment in complicated aortic stenosis. The deterioration profile does not show any significant differences between groups, but is more evident in TAVI patients, due to the influence of variables related to sample selection. (AU)

[Delayed cognitive impairment in patients with aortic stenosis treated with surgical valve replacement and transcatheter aortic valve implantation: a comparative study]. / Deterioro cognitivo tardío en pacientes con estenosis aórtica tratados con sustitución valvular quirúrgica y con implantación transcatéter de válvula aórtica: estudio comparativo.

INTRODUCTION: Cognitive impairment secondary to cerebrovascular events is a common complication of aortic valve replacement interventions. Our aim is to study the deterioration profile of patients who have undergone surgical valve replacement or transcatheter valve implantation (TAVI) and whether it differs according to the intervention they underwent and their baseline risk factors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective observational study with two non-equivalent groups of patients (TAVI group and surgical group) Intergroup comparisons were carried out in several cognitive domains, with a baseline assessment and follow-up measurements six and 12 months after the intervention. RESULTS: The TAVI group performed less well than the surgical group in executive and visuospatial functions, with scores partially determined by age (p < 0.01) and prior intellectual level (Pearson prior intelligence quotient-scalar test means: 0.665; p < 0.001). Mean scores at the three measurement points indicate a decline in executive function performance at six months, which is restored at 12 months. Sustained increases in memory were recorded at both time points, while visuospatial function and naming showed no subsequent recovery of the baseline levels. These trends are similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: The results obtained do not confirm the appearance of a specific process of post-intervention neurocognitive impairment in complicated aortic stenosis. The deterioration profile does not show any significant differences between groups, but is more evident in TAVI patients, due to the influence of variables related to sample selection.

TITLE: Deterioro cognitivo tardío en pacientes con estenosis aórtica tratados con sustitución valvular quirúrgica y con implantación transcatéter de válvula aórtica: estudio comparativo.Introducción. El deterioro cognitivo secundario a eventos cerebrovasculares es una complicación frecuente en las intervenciones de reemplazo de válvula aórtica. Nuestro objetivo es el estudio del perfil de deterioro de los pacientes sometidos a reemplazo valvular quirúrgico o implantación de prótesis transcatéter (TAVI) y si éste resulta diferente según la intervención a la que son sometidos y los factores de riesgo basales. Pacientes y métodos. Estudio observacional prospectivo, con dos grupos no equivalentes de pacientes (grupo TAVI y grupo quirúrgico). Se realizaron comparaciones intergrupo en varios dominios cognitivos, con una evaluación basal y mediciones de seguimiento seis y 12 meses después la intervención. Resultados. El grupo TAVI presentó resultados inferiores al grupo quirúrgico en funciones ejecutivas y visuoespaciales, puntuaciones parcialmente determinadas por la edad (p < 0,01) y el nivel intelectual previo (Pearson cociente intelectual previo-medias escalares en los test: 0,665; p < 0,001). La media de puntuaciones en los tres momentos de medición indica una disminución del rendimiento en funciones ejecutivas a los seis meses, que se recupera a los 12 meses. En memoria se registraron incrementos sostenidos en ambos momentos, en tanto que la función visuoespacial y la denominación no mostraron recuperación posterior de los niveles basales. Estas tendencias son similares en los dos grupos. Conclusión. Los resultados obtenidos no confirman la instauración de un proceso específico de deterioro neurocognitivo postintervención en la estenosis aórtica complicada. El perfil de deterioro no presenta diferencias significativas entre los grupos, pero es más evidente en los pacientes con TAVI, debido a la influencia de las variables de selección de la muestra.

Kanamycin treatment in the pre-symptomatic stage of a Drosophila PD model prevents the onset of non-motor alterations.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor alterations, which is preceded by a prodromal stage where non-motor symptoms are observed. Over recent years, it has become evident that this disorder involves other organs that communicate with the brain like the gut. Importantly, the microbial community that lives in the gut plays a key role in this communication, the so-called microbiota-gut-brain axis. Alterations in this axis have been associated to several disorders including PD. Here we proposed that the gut microbiota is different in the presymptomatic stage of a Drosophila model for PD, the Pink1B9 mutant fly, as compared to that observed in control animals. Our results show this is the case: there is basal dysbiosis in mutant animals evidenced by substantial difference in the composition of midgut microbiota in 8-9 days old Pink1B9 mutant flies as compared with control animals. Further, we fed young adult control and mutant flies kanamycin and analyzed motor and non-motor behavioral parameters in these animals. Data show that kanamycin treatment induces the recovery of some of the non-motor parameters altered in the pre-motor stage of the PD fly model, while there is no substantial change in locomotor parameters recorded at this stage. On the other hand, our results show that feeding young animals the antibiotic, results in a long-lasting improvement of locomotion in control flies. Our data support that manipulations of gut microbiota in young animals could have beneficial effects on PD progression and age-dependent motor impairments. This article is part of the Special Issue on "Microbiome & the Brain: Mechanisms & Maladies".

Association between depressive symptoms and disability in older adults of 12 high Andean communities from Peru.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to evaluate the association between depressive symptoms and disability in older adults residing in 12 high Andean communities in Peru. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We carried out a secondary data analysis of a cross-sectional study that included older adults (60 years or older) from 12 high Andean communities in Peru from 2013 to 2019. Depressive symptoms were defined as a score of two or more in the abbreviated Geriatric Depression Scale, while disability was defined as a score of less than 95 in the Barthel index. We also included sociodemographic characteristics, medical and personal history, and functional and performance-based tests. We used crude and adjusted Poisson regression models to evaluate the association of interest and estimated prevalence ratios (PR) with their respective 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). RESULTS: We included 442 older adults with a mean age of 73 ± 6.9 in the analysis; 63.1% (n = 279) were women, and 79.9% (n = 353) had no education or incomplete primary school. 50.9% (n = 225) of the participants had depressive symptoms, and 49.8% (n = 220) had disability. The adjusted Poisson regression model showed that depressive symptoms increased the probability of disability (adjusted PR = 1.67; 95% CI: 1.34-2.08; p < 0.001) in older adults living at high altitude. CONCLUSIONS: Depressive symptoms was associated with a greater probability of disability in older adults living at high altitude. Longitudinal studies are needed for better understanding of this association in high altitude populations along with timely interventions to reduce the impact of both geriatric syndromes.

Effect of organic and conventional farming on soil bacterial diversity of pecan tree (Carya illinoensis K. Kosh) orchard across two phenological stages.

We described the bacterial diversity of walnut grove soils under organic and conventional farming. The bacterial communities of rhizospheric and nonrhizospheric soils of pecan tree (Carya illinoensis K. Koch) were compared considering two phenological stages (sprouting and ripening). Sixteen operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were identified significantly more abundant according to the plant development, only one according to the farming condition, and none according to the soil origin. The OTUs specificaly abundant according to plant development included Actinobateria (2) and Betaproteobacteria (1) related OTUs more abundant at the sprouting stage, while at the fruit ripening (FR) stage the more abundant OTUs were related to Actinobacteria (6), Alphaproteobacteria (6), and unclassified Bacteria (1). The Gaiellaceae OTU18 (Actinobacteria) was more abundant under conventional farming. Thus, our study revealed that the plant development stage was the main factor shaping the bacterial community structure, while less influence was noticed for the farming condition. The bacterial communities exhibited specific metabolic capacities, a large range of carbon sources being used at the FR stage. The identified OTUs specifically more abundant represent indicators providing useful information on soil condition, potential tools for the management of soil bacterial communities.

Dosimetry of tumor targeting imaging by convergent X-ray beam as compared with nuclear medicine.

During decades nuclear medicine procedures, based on radiolabeled agents, have proved to be efficient for diseases diagnosis and treatment. Radiation emerging from patient is detected aimed at localizing radiotracer distribution that is further correlated with biochemical/metabolic physiological processes. However, a significant drawback associated with current nuclear medicine procedures implementing radionuclide infusion regards to the inherent absorbed dose as well as radiopharmaceuticals' production, storage and elimination from patient body, thus representing a risk at patient and public health level. In the recent years, alternative methods have been proposed to reduce/eliminate radionuclides in some nuclear medicine procedures. The combination of high atomic number nanoparticles infused within patient body with incident X-ray beam, like tumor targeting and treatment, appears as a potential alternative method capable of theranostics. The process is based on inducing X-ray fluorescence and secondary electrons emission in high atomic number nanoparticles by means of excitation with an external X-ray beam, avoiding employing radioactive substances. The present work reports on the dosimetry performance of both methods, comparing whenever the external convergent X-ray beam alternative may involve less or larger radiation dose levels, according to comparable signal/image quality during the procedure. To this aim, a simplified theoretical model is proposed and associated Monte Carlo simulations are performed in order to compare typical case of nuclear medicine imaging with potential performance of an innovative method, called OXIRIS (Orthovoltage X-ray Induced Radiation and Integrated System), based on convergent X-ray beam exciting high atomic number nanoparticles infused in patient. The obtained results support the proposed alternative method's feasibility, once demonstrated that patient absorbed dose levels are relative similar to those currently used by nuclear medicine procedures, whereas dose to targeted region (tumor) are significantly higher, which may be useful for treatment purposes.

Diferencias por sexo y nivel de renta en la mortalidad y morbilidad directamente relacionadas con el alcohol en Navarra / Differences by sex and income level in mortality and morbidity directly related to alcohol consumption in Navarre

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[Neuropsychological profile in patients with myotonic dystrophy type 1: a four-year follow-up study]. / Perfil neuropsicológico en pacientes con distrofia miotónica tipo 1: estudio de seguimiento a cuatro años.

INTRODUCTION: Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (MD1), or Steinert's disease, is a multisystemic disorder of autosomal dominant inheritance, whose adult variant usually presents with multidomain cognitive impairment and affects patients' functionality and quality of life. AIM: To study the four-year history of cognitive functioning in a sample of patients with the adult variant of MD1. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The neurocognitive functions of a sample of 31 patients with MD1 are evaluated, of whom 24 repeat the test administered four years ago in the Neurology Service of the Complejo Hospitalario of Navarra. Data are collected from the cognitive domains that are most related to the deficits that usually present in MD1. RESULTS: The follow-up evaluation found that the visuospatial and visuoconstructive functions and alternating attention of the patients who underwent the study were affected, as was their daily functioning reported by the family. These results are in line with those obtained four years earlier, with no significant deterioration observed between the two measurements. A higher incidence of cognitive impairment was also displayed in 2018, with some cases of progression to dementia in Steinert's disease. CONCLUSION: Neurocognitive progression in MD1 seems to respond to a progressive pattern of degeneration, linked to the functions that are most affected from the beginning of the sequelae phase and which usually correspond to the domains of working memory, alternating attention, and visuospatial and visuoconstructive abilities.

TITLE: Perfil neuropsicológico en pacientes con distrofia miotónica tipo 1: estudio de seguimiento a cuatro años.Introducción. La distrofia miotónica tipo 1 (DM1), o enfermedad de Steinert, es un trastorno multisistémico de herencia autosómica dominante, cuya variante adulta suele cursar con deterioro cognitivo multidominio y afectación de la funcionalidad y la calidad de vida de los pacientes. Objetivo. Estudiar la evolución a cuatro años del funcionamiento cognitivo de una muestra de pacientes con la variante adulta de DM1. Pacientes y métodos. Se evalúan las funciones cognitivas de una muestra de 31 pacientes con DM1, de los cuales 24 repiten la evaluación administrada hace cuatro años en el Servicio de Neurología del Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra. Se recogen datos de los dominios neurocognitivos más relacionados con los déficits de presentación habitual en la DM1. Resultados. La evaluación de seguimiento constató la afectación de las funciones visuoespaciales y visuoconstructivas y de la atención alternante de los pacientes que se sometieron al estudio, así como de su funcionamiento cotidiano informado por la familia. Estos resultados están en línea con los obtenidos cuatro años atrás, sin que se haya objetivado un deterioro significativo entre ambas mediciones. Se demuestra, además, una mayor incidencia de deterioro cognitivo en 2018, con algunos casos de evolución a demencia en la enfermedad de Steinert. Conclusión. La evolución neuropsicológica en la DM1 parece responder a un patrón progresivo, ligado a las funciones que más se afectan desde los inicios de la fase de secuelas y que suelen corresponder a los dominios de memoria de trabajo, atención alternante y habilidades visuoespaciales y visuoconstructivas.

Administering copper reduces hyper-excitability generated by penicillin G in motor cortex neurons from rat brain slices.

Recording synaptic activity of layer III neurons from motor cortex slices, which was provoked by stimulating layer IV, generated synaptic responses of the field potential (FP) that went from mean 100 µV to 600 µV when the stimulus was increased up to twice the threshold. Administering 100 µM or 200 µM of copper, increased the responses to mean 800 µV and 820 µV, respectively. The response to 200 µM was not significantly greater than that to 100 µM. However, all FP responses were significantly lower to a copper concentration of 500 µM. The basal FP was slowly restored by removing the copper with Krebs-Ringer(K-R), resulting in similar characteristics to those observed before copper administration. Then, neurons were perfused with penicillin (2000 UI) to increase cortical excitability and to assess the depressing effect of high concentrations of copper. Administering 500 µM of copper significantly reduced the activity generated by penicillin, while removing by wash(K-R) penicillin and copper generated FP responses similar to those obtained at baseline. Our data indicate that depending on the concentration, copper can behave as an activating or blocking agent for cortical activity.

Theory, simulation and experiments for precise deflection control of radiotherapy electron beams.

Conventional radiotherapy is mainly applied by linear accelerators. Although linear accelerators provide dual (electron/photon) radiation beam modalities, both of them are intrinsically produced by a megavoltage electron current. Modern radiotherapy treatment techniques are based on suitable devices inserted or attached to conventional linear accelerators. Thus, precise control of delivered beam becomes a main key issue. This work presents an integral description of electron beam deflection control as required for novel radiotherapy technique based on convergent photon beam production. Theoretical and Monte Carlo approaches were initially used for designing and optimizing device´s components. Then, dedicated instrumentation was developed for experimental verification of electron beam deflection due to the designed magnets. Both Monte Carlo simulations and experimental results support the reliability of electrodynamics models used to predict megavoltage electron beam control.

Teamwork: relevance and interdependence of interprofessional education.

OBJECTIVE: Determine the perception of university students regarding interprofessional and interdependent work between team members in their inclusion in primary care. METHODS: Analytical cross-sectional study. The sampling had a probabilistic, stratified random type with 95% confidence and 5% margin of error. Seven-hundred and four students of Public Universities in Santiago (Chile) answered self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: Ninety-seven point eight of students say that interprofessional work is important; 27.1% of them declare that their university did not seem to show that their study plans were important. The professionals listed as most important in teams are physicians and nurses. CONCLUSIONS: Spaces for development and institutional support are key elements to promote interprofessional work. If this competence can involve each academic unit in their different formative spaces there will be a significant contribution to said promotion. Teamwork is a pending task. OBJETIVO: Determinar la percepción de estudiantes universitarios respecto al trabajo interprofesional e interdependencia entre los miembros del equipo en su inserción en la atención primaria. MÉTODOS: Estudio de tipo analítico y transversal. El muestreo fue de tipo aleatorio, probabilístico estratificado con un 95% de confianza y un 5% de margen de error. Se utilizó un cuestionario auto-administrado en 704 estudiantes de Universidades del Estado en Santiago de Chile. RESULTADOS: Un 97,8% de los estudiantes opinan que el trabajo interprofesional es importante; un 27,1% de ellos declara que su universidad no le ha entregado importancia en sus planes de estudios. Los profesionales mencionados como más importantes en el equipo son los médicos y enfermeras. CONCLUSIONES: Espacios de desarrollo y respaldo institucional son elementos claves para promover el trabajo interprofesional. Que esta competencia logre involucrar a cada unidad académica en sus diferentes espacios formativos será un aporte significativo en aquello. Trabajo en equipo es una tarea pendiente.

Evaluación in vitro de la actividad antimicrobiana de un gel para manos con nanomoléculas de cobre / In vitro evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of a hand gel with copper nanomolecules

Introducción: en los últimos años el uso del cobre se ha propuesto como una alternativa para la disminución de IAAS. Objetivos: evaluar la actividad antimicrobiana in vitro de un gel para manos, con nanomoléculas de cobre en cepas de: Candida albicans, C. parapsilosis, Staphylococcus aureus, Enteroccus faecalis, Escherichia coli y Pseudomona aeruginosa. Materiales y Método: estudio experimental in vitro. Se sembraron cepas de referencia (ATCC) en medios de cultivos y se colocaron cuatro discos de gasas estériles con gel de cobre, clorhexidina, alcohol gel y de agua destilada. Se midieron los halos a las 24, 48 hs y 7 días. Se utilizó la prueba de Anova y test HSD Tukey para análisis estadístico. Resultados: para C. albicans y C. parapsilosis el gel de cobre presentó un halo de inhibición a las 24, 48 hs y 7 días, siendo mayor al de clorhexidina (p< 0,001) en el caso de la C. albicans. Para S. aureus, E. coli y P. aeruginosa presentó un halo menor (p< 0,001) que el de clorhexidina a las 24 hs, sin embargo, no hubo inhibición a las 48 hs ni a los 7 días. En E. faecalis no hubo halo de inhibición a ningún tiempo. Conclusiones: el gel de cobre presentó actividad in vitro tanto para C. albicans como para C. parapsilosis, hasta los 7 días. Presentó actividad sobre S. aureus, E. coli y P. aeruginosa hasta las 24 hs. No presentó actividad antimicrobiana sobre E. faecalis.

Introduction: in the last few years the use of copper has been proposed as an alternative for reducing HAIs. Objective: to assess in vitro antimicrobial activity of a gel with copper nanomolecules on strains of Candida albicans , C. parapsilosis, Staphylococcus aureus, Enteroccus faecalis , Escherichia coli and Pseudomona aeruginosa. Materials and Methods: in vitro experimental study. Reference strains (ATCC) were seeded in growth medium and then four disks of sterile gauze impregnated with gel copper, chlorhexidine, gel alcohol and distilled water were placed in the culture. Halos were measured at 24, 48 hours and 7 days. Anova test and Tukey HSD test were used to statistical analysis. Results: for C. albicans and C. parapsilosis copper gel provided an inhibition at 24, 48 hours and 7 days, being higher than chlorhexidine (p <0.001) in the case of C. albicans. For S. aureus, E. coli and P. aeruginosa copper gel showed a lower halo (p <0.001) than chlorhexidine at 16 and 24 hours, however there was no inhibition at 48 hrs or 7 days. In E. faecalis no inhibition halo was found at any time. Conclusions: the copper gel showed in vitro activity for C. albicans and C. parapsilosis up to 7 days. Presented activity on S. aureus, E. coli and P. aeruginosa up to 24 hrs. It did not show antimicrobial activity against E. faecalis.

Trabajo en equipo: relevancia e interdependencia de la educación interprofesional / Teamwork: relevance and interdependence of interprofessional education

La educación médica se ha enfocado, históricamente, en el desempeño individual de los profesionales de la salud. Sin embargo, ante los cambios en el foco, estructura y necesidades de los sistemas de atención en salud, el foco se ha redirigido hacia el trabajo en equipo. Esta concepción implica una acción coordinada, llevada a cabo por dos o más individuos, lo que implica metas acordadas en conjunto, y exige entendimiento claro y respeto de los roles y las funciones de cada miembro. El trabajo en equipo, más que un fin, es un proceso y requiere la habilidad de trabajar como colegas, en vez de superior-subordinado. En este sentido, se entiende por multiprofesionalismo al trabajo común realizado por profesionales de las diferentes categorías, en las que su contribución individual conduce a un producto final que satisface los requerimientos únicos de cada parte en la solución de los problemas identificados. Tanto la construcción colectiva del trabajo a realizar por el equipo multidisciplinario cuanto las posibilidades de incorporar la atención a las prácticas profesionales, indican la necesidad de identificar y desarrollar dimensiones comunicativas en los sujetos involucrados en el cuidado (trabajadores y usuarios). Los equipos multidisciplinarios deben superar los acuerdos y articulaciones centradas solo en las relaciones. La Organización Mundial de la Salud señala que la práctica colaborativa optimiza los resultados de la atención en salud entregando una atención integral a los pacientes, sus familias, cuidadores y comunidades. Los profesionales preparados para la práctica colaborativa han aprendido a trabajar en un equipo interprofesional mediante entrenamiento efectivo en educación interprofesional; esta educación ocurre cuando estudiantes de dos o más profesiones aprenden sobre, de y entre ellos mismos para permitir una colaboración efectiva. (AU)

Documento de la Sociedad Española de Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiología Clínica (SEIMC) y de la Sociedad Española de Medicina Preventiva, Salud Pública e Higiene (SEMPSPH), para luchar contra las resistencias bacterianas / No disponible

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Caracterización del desarrollo psicomotor de niños y niñas con cáncer / Psychomotor development characterization of children with cancer

Antecedentes: El desarrollo psicomotor (DPSM) es una condicionante social de la salud, por lo que sus alteraciones pueden perpetuar otras desigualdades hasta la adultez. Los menores con cáncer se ven expuestos a una serie de factores que pueden poner en riesgo su DPSM. Metodología: Se evalúa el DPSM de 35 niños y niñas con cáncer de 0 a 5 años de dos hospitales, con los test EEDP y TEPSI, estandarizados para población chilena. Se excluyen los niños/as con características o patologías de base que pudiesen explicar el retraso del desarrollo psicomotor (tumores cerebrales, discapacidad visual, síndrome de Down o hemiparesia.). Las evaluaciones se realizan en período ambulatorio estando los niños y niñas en buenas condiciones generales, sin infecciones activas y con parámetros hematológicos estables. Es decir, en igualdad de condiciones de salud, salvo por el diagnóstico oncológico de base. Resultados: El promedio nacional de rezago es 5,5 por ciento, el de riesgo 5,64 y el retraso alcanza un 1,3 por ciento. Sumando las tres categorías alcanza un 12,44 por ciento. Los niños/as evaluados arrojan un 28,52 por ciento, 14,29 por ciento y 2,86 por ciento respectivamente, con un total de 45,67 por ciento, es decir 3,67 veces más alteraciones del DPSM que los niños sin cáncer. Conclusiones: Los niños y niñas con cáncer evaluados presentan más alteraciones del DPSM que aquellos que no tuvieron cáncer antes de los 5 años de edad. Existen iniciativas ya implementadas desde el 2007 por el Sistema de Protección Integral de la infancia para prevenir e intervenir las alteraciones del DPSM, pero parecen no se suficientes para esta población específica.

Background: Psychomotor development (PD) is known to be a social determinant of health which means that a development delay or disorder can perpetuate other inequalities into adulthood. Children with cancer are exposed to a number of factors that may jeopardize their PD. Methodology: All eligible children with cancer under 5 years were evaluated in two hospitals of Santiago, with a total n° of 35. Children with underlying conditions that may explain a developmental delay were excluded (brain tumors, visually impaired, Down Syndrome). Evaluations were performed on outpatient period, in good general conditions, meaning in equal terms than children in the general population, except for the cancer. Results: The average national lag is 5.5 percent, the risk 5.64 and the retardation reaches 1.3 percent. Adding the three categories of delay, it reaches a 12.44 percent. Children evaluated presented 28.52 percent, 14.29 percent and 2.86 percent respectively, with a total of 45.67 percent that means 3.67 times more developmental delays than children without cancer. Conclusions: Children with cancer have more PD disorders than those who did not have cancer before age 5. There are initiatives already implemented since 2007 by the System of Integral Protection of Children, with protocols to prevent and attend PD disorders, but seem to be insufficient for this specific population.

Agomelatine for the treatment of patients with fibromyalgia and depressive symptomatology: an uncontrolled, 12-week, pilot study.

INTRODUCTION: Agomelatine, a melatonin agonist and selective 5-HT2C antagonist, is a novel antidepressant with sleep-enhancing properties. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy and tolerability of agomelatine among patients with fibromyalgia and depression. METHODS: 23 patients with fibromyalgia and depressive symptomatology received 25-50 mg of agomelatine daily for 12 weeks. The primary outcome measure was the change of the Beck depression inventory score. Secondary outcome measures included the hospital anxiety and depression scale, Pittsburgh sleep quality index, Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, short-form health survey, brief pain inventory and patient's global impression scale. RESULTS: Agomelatine significantly improved depression, global fibromyalgia severity and pain intensity but effect sizes were small. No improvement was seen in sleep quality. Patients categorized as responders to treatment had milder disease severity than non-responders. Agomelatine therapy was well tolerated and patients only reported mild and transient side effects. DISCUSSION: Agomelatine slightly improved depressive and fibromyalgia symptomatology but did not improve sleep quality. Our data do not support agomelatine as a first-line treatment option for the treatment of fibromyalgia and depression.